Clifford Melikian (1920-2015)

Clifford Melikian, 94, of Walnut Creek, Calif. died peacefully on Jan. 13, 2015. Clifford was born in Fresno on Dec. 30, 1920, to the late Gunyas and Nuritza Melikian. He grew up in the midst of a vibrant Armenian-American community that formed the basis for his lifelong love and service to the Armenian Apostolic Church and to the United States, which had provided refuge and opportunities for countless Armenians.

Clifford Melikian
Clifford Melikian

Clifford interrupted his college years when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. A staff sergeant in the 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division, he was engaged in combat in France and Germany. Awarded the Purple Heart and other medals, he maintained friendships formed during the war and attended reunions of his division regardless of the location, as long as his health permitted. Clifford also became a self-taught expert on World War II. His expertise was so great that, during a family vacation in France 13 years ago, visitors to the Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux asked to join his “tour” group, mistaking his narration of the events depicted in the exhibits for those of a professional guide.

After the war, Clifford returned to college, graduating from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in international relations and economics. He was a true Trojan, proud to wear USC regalia throughout his life. Following graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., to become an agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (predecessor to the DEA). There, he met the love of his life, Helen Jamjamian, whom he married in 1950. They relocated to New York City, where Clifford continued his work as a DEA agent and where sons Kenneth and Stephen were born.

But the pull of California was strong and they returned in 1956, first to Fresno, then to Pasadena, where they lived until 1973. During that time, Clifford worked as an arson and fraud investigator, which included several years at the aerospace firm TRW. In 1975, with their sons now grown, Clifford and Helen settled in Walnut Creek, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Clifford served on his church’s Parish Council for many years, and was a member of Knights of Vartan and the Triple X Fraternity.

Clifford was predeceased by his beloved wife Helen, his sister Grace and brother-in-law Haig Gostanian, and his brother Carl. He is survived by his sons and their families: the Honorable Kenneth Melikian, his wife Sharon and their daughters, Julie (William Dong), Janelle, and Jennifer; and Stephen Melikian, his wife Sylvia and their children, Sarah (Nate McCray), Armen, and Matthew. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Angie Jamjamian and Terry Melikian, and seven nieces and nephews, along with their families.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tues., Jan. 20, at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church in Oakland. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made IMO Clifford Melikian to the Armenian Studies Program, Fresno State University, 5245 N. Backer Ave. PB4, Fresno, CA 93740-8001.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

2 Comments

  1. A true gentleman; illustrious , courteous, a credit to his background training from childhood onward. Impressive , articulate and generous, my husband and i met him through though connection he had with my late brotherinlaw , whom he met in Europe during their WW2 time in Army service. It is notable that his passing was on the same date as my father’s , albeit fifty years apart, I deeply miss his communications for several years, and time spent together when we viaited his area.

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